Finally, a place for your Borderlands 2 slash fiction

Unfortunately, it's only open to students at the Academy of Art University . . .

The project, called the Borderlands Cooperative, will, by the end of 2013, produce a new original film set in the Borderlands universe created by the writers and animators at the Academy of Art University. Said students will also have a chance at scoring an internship at publisher 2K.

By the way, no one should be surprised by this. Everyone involved with the Borderlands franchise has known that Claptrap is a star waiting to be discovered for some time.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Production Begins on Borderlands® Animated Short Film

2K, Gearbox Software and Academy of Art University partner to provide unique career development and internship opportunities for next-generation of storytellers

New York, NY – March 19, 2013 – 2K, Gearbox Software and the Academy of Art University today announced Borderlands® Cooperative, an exciting partnership that will provide students of the university with once-in-a-lifetime career development opportunities. With the guidance of their professors, and resources from 2K and Gearbox, students across all disciplines will come together to create an original animated short film set in the popular Borderlands universe. The animated short will be available by the end of 2013. Borderlands 2, the most recent installment of the franchise developed by Gearbox, and published by 2K, has sold-in nearly six million copies and won over 55 editorial awards since its release in September of 2012.

“Academy of Art's mission is to prepare students for the jobs of the 21st century and this project with industry leaders at 2K and Gearbox is exactly the kind of real-world experience we strive to provide,” said Chris Armstrong, Director of School of Animation & VFX at Academy of Art University. “These students are aspiring game designers, programmers, writers and animators who will now graduate with hands-on experience and a product of work they can share with prospective employers, making them well-positioned to compete for and win the jobs of today's global economy."

In addition to valuable experience and networking opportunities, students involved in Borderlands Cooperative have a chance to jump-start their careers with an internship at 2K. During the spring semester, teams of students will create original short stories that take place inside the Borderlands universe. Any student, regardless of their discipline, can form a team and submit an original storyboard for consideration. A panel of Academy of Art University, 2K and Gearbox judges will select one story to become part of the Borderlands mythos, and the team behind that story will have the opportunity to interview for the internship.

Animation students will work together throughout the summer and fall to produce an animated short film based on the story selected by the judges. The real-world scenario will challenge students to work together, to overcome obstacles, and to produce finished products on deadlines, just like professionals in their chosen fields.

“We are so proud and excited at 2K to have the opportunity to give back to our local San Francisco community and help enable students to achieve their dreams of breaking into the entertainment industry,” said Sarah Anderson, SVP of Marketing at 2K. “The Borderlands universe is vast and there are many stories left to tell, we can’t wait to see what imaginative scenario is realized in the finished animated short film later this year.”

"We are thrilled that our Borderlands universe has inspired so much creativity," said Randy Pitchford, President of Gearbox Software. "We are happy to offer the Academy of Art University access to our digital assets so that its student's creativity can be harnessed into positive career development efforts and, if we're lucky, the creation of some great content that every Borderlands fan can enjoy."

Borderlands 2 is rated M for Mature by the ESRB and is available now on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC. For the latest Borderlands 2 news and information, please visit the official Borderlands 2 web site and check out Borderlands 2 on Facebook.

With more than 18,000 students, Academy of Art University is the nation's largest private art and design university. Established in 1929, the school offers accredited AA, BA, BFA, MA, M.Arch and MFA programs in 21 different majors, as well as continuing art education, with classes in Acting, Advertising, Animation & Visual Effects, Architecture, Art Education, Art History(BFA), Fashion, Fine Art, Game Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture & Design, Jewelry and Metal Arts, Landscape Architecture, Motion Pictures & Television, Multimedia Communications, Music Production & Sound Design for Visual Media, Photography, Visual Development and Web Design & New Media. Students can also enroll in flexible online degree programs in most majors. Academy of Art University is an accredited member of WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and Design), Council for Interior Design Accreditation (BFA and MFA-IAD) and NAAB (M-ARCH). For more information, visit www.academyart.edu or call 1-800-544-2787.

About Borderlands 2

Developed by Gearbox Software, Borderlands 2 is the critically acclaimed sequel to the breakout original that invented a new genre, the FPS/RPG hybrid known as “shooter-looter.” Borderlands 2 features all-new characters and skill trees, diverse new environments, missions and enemies, as well as weapons and equipment with more personality than ever before. Players experience an all-new story that takes place five years after the events of the original game. Four friends can team up online to journey through the huge, open world of Pandora to take down the notorious Handsome Jack and his corrupt Hyperion Corporation.

About Take-Two Interactive Software

Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a leading developer, marketer, and publisher of interactive entertainment for consumers around the globe. The Company develops and publishes products through its two wholly-owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K, which publishes its titles under the 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play brands. Our products are designed for console systems, handheld gaming systems and personal computers, including smartphones and tablets, and are delivered through physical retail, digital download, online platforms and cloud streaming services. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information, please visit our website at http://www.take2games.com.

About 2K

Founded in 2005, 2K develops and publishes interactive entertainment for console systems, handheld gaming systems and personal computers, including smartphones and tablets through its three divisions: 2K Games, 2K Sports, and 2K Play that are delivered through physical retail, digital download, online platforms and cloud streaming services. 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including first-person shooters, action, role-playing, real-time strategy, sports, casual, and family entertainment. The 2K label has some of the most talented development studios in the world today, including Firaxis Games, Visual Concepts, Irrational Games, 2K Marin, 2K Australia, 2K Czech, Cat Daddy Games and 2K China. In just a few short years, 2K launched the 2007 Game of the Year – BioShock®; published the critically acclaimed Borderlands™; continued the award-winning Sid Meier’s Civilization® series; delivered the #1 rated and #1 selling basketball franchise with NBA® 2K*; and broke new ground in the family entertainment market with its multi-million unit selling hit Carnival Games. 2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). For more information, please visit www.2K.com.

*According to 2008-2013 Metacritic.com and The NPD Group estimates of U.S. retail video game sales through February 2013.

About Gearbox Software

Gearbox Software is respected industry wide for the award winning, best-selling original and licensed video games they have developed for major video game platforms. Founded in 1999 and located near Dallas, TX, Gearbox Software is well known for the creation, development and management of its original blockbuster video game franchises including the best-selling new property of 2009, Borderlands, and its record setting downloadable content, the critically acclaimed award winning Brothers in Arms series, and the Duke Nukem franchise. The company has also developed licensed video games for many of the industry’s top franchises including Halo, Half-Life, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, 007 James Bond, Aliens and others. Gearbox Software’s success has been enabled and supported through several key mutually beneficial business relationships with strong publishing partners including Activision, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft Entertainment, Microsoft Games Studios, Sega, and Take-Two/2K Games.

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